Electrical Tape Dispenser

Here is one style:  https://www.amazon.com/MMM194N...Length/dp/B00708FBMM

I tried a roll in my scotch tape dispenser and it fit, but it was not a new roll, and if I held it in place as the center hub was too small to fit, it would dispense, but it did stretch in the process.  I noticed that the plastic hub in the scotch tape roll, if it was empty, it would fit with a little looseness inside the electric tape tube and would eliminate the wobble and the rubbing against the front when you were pulling it out.  If you try it, let the tape relax and shrink back up before you wrap something with it.

I find it amazing that there's no commercially made electrical tape dispenser. Seems like there'd be a need for it. It's such a pain have to work with just the roll all the time. I think I might try to build my own with some scrap wood, a dowel and a razer blade. I'l post some pics of it when it's finished.

-Eric

Dorman is a 3rd party supplier of auto parts. They have one that looks like an oversize scotch tape supplier. Advance Auto among others show them on their websites.

Pete

The Dorman Tape dispencer is on ebay. I don't know how to post a link but a search will get you there

I don’t know about using a razor blade in some wood to make a dispenser, get to complacent with something like that, and you’ll have a nice slice in your finger(s) ….getting razor blade cuts suck….

Pat

Good tape, Scotch 33+ or 88, you can back-roll the tape, off the provided roll.  The smaller back-rolled tape, with the sticky exposed, works well for most applications. IMO, Mike CT.    A quick pull, at the end of the tape job, or a cut, with a utility knife works.

I use so little electrical tape anywhere, I have never felt the need for a dispenser.   Most black electrical tape turns to goo after a year, so I avoid it like the plague!

Can't help you with that Eric but I am with John.  I avoid the black electrical tape, when it turns to goo it makes a mess.

If I do require black tape I use the cloth type, like what is used on hockey sticks. 

Electrical tape stretches too much to pull off of a dispenser. I've always just pulled it off the roll and either cut or ripped it. I good piece of advice is to let the end relax back to original shape before sticking it down.

Best advice is to pay the extra for Scotch 33+ or 88 as Mike mentioned. I've probably used several miles of it, both black and colors, during my career and no other brands even come close. The white tape is good for tagging wires too. My tool belt always has black, white, and green hanging from it.

Bob

@Soo Line posted:

Can't help you with that Eric but I am with John.  I avoid the black electrical tape, when it turns to goo it makes a mess.

If I do require black tape I use the cloth type, like what is used on hockey sticks.

Yes, Friction Tape, I was surprised to find a roll at a national DIY store. Unfortunately, the mom & pop hardware stores that always carried friction tape have become few and far here in Tampa.

@Soo Line posted:

Can't help you with that Eric but I am with John.  I avoid the black electrical tape, when it turns to goo it makes a mess.

If I do require black tape I use the cloth type, like what is used on hockey sticks.

Me and my buddies used it for pucks too. After a few hours on the pavement the edges smoothed down and it would slide down the road easily. Hurt like H**L too if you got hit with a slap shot.....

Eric,

you’re an accomplished train guy.  Why do you feel the need to use electrical tape?  I have a 8’X24’ multi train layout and have never had the need to use electrical tape.  What are you using it for?

Side Rod

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I use so little electrical tape anywhere, I have never felt the need for a dispenser.   Most black electrical tape turns to goo after a year, so I avoid it like the plague!

Me either,…..let the linemen have all the electrical tape,…..😉

Pat

https://www.google.com/search?&q=dorman+90605

@RSJB18 posted:

Best advice is to pay the extra for Scotch 33+ or 88 as Mike mentioned. I've probably used several miles of it, both black and colors, during my career and no other brands even come close. The white tape is good for tagging wires too. My tool belt always has black, white, and green hanging from it.

Bob

Right on, RSJB!  If you need to use tape, life is too short not to use 3M (Scotch) !!!

I only use the Scotch Brand 38 or 88 Series Colored Electrical Tape for marking wires for special use. I just cut the tape with a good sharp quality brand scissors.

"Most black electrical tape turns to goo after a year, so I avoid it like the plague!"

I have found white electrical tape makes less of a mess than black. Don't understand why, should be the same adhesive same vinyl, just different color. Then if you have fine point Sharpie, you can make a label quicker than dealing with the Brother label maker.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I use so little electrical tape anywhere, I have never felt the need for a dispenser.   Most black electrical tape turns to goo after a year, so I avoid it like the plague!

Exactly. I find that the black cloth backed tape like that used by the automotive manufacturers is excellent and does not turn to goo. BMW lists some in their tools listing...and there are others.

If your tape is turning to goo your using a cheap brand of tape. I use scotch brand tape and never had it do that.

@Side Rod posted:

Eric,

you’re an accomplished train guy.  Why do you feel the need to use electrical tape?  I have a 8’X24’ multi train layout and have never had the need to use electrical tape.  What are you using it for?

Side Rod

As a couple folks pointed out, the tape can get messy after a while, and to use it on our hobby size wires just makes a lump that will come undone.  My work use for it was always to cover the rubber tape used over a connection, to protect the rubber tape from sun and elements.  Inline crimp-ons, wire nuts, or solder and cover with shrink tubing are the way to go for small wires that just need to be spliced.

I'm a major heatshrink user, it's how virtually all of my internal splices are made.  I solder it and cover it with heatshrink.  It's permanent, it doesn't turn gooey after a year, and it's neat.

.50 per roll = goo.  You get what you pay for.  Like others have said - you should have very little use for it when dealing with your trains.  I used it only to wrap around bundles of wire to keep them tight before I pulled the cable through conduit.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'm a major heatshrink user, it's how virtually all of my internal splices are made.  I solder it and cover it with heatshrink.  It's permanent, it doesn't turn gooey after a year, and it's neat.

Same here. Goes back to my HO days as a kid. Solder and heatshrink won't ever fail if done properly.

Ditto on heatshrink. On bundles of wire I use sailmakers thread and a cow hitch with a micro drop of CA to hold.  Easy to cut thread with Xacto in order to redo and a $4 spool of thread is nearly a life time supply.  The thread makes a much smaller neater way to tie bundles than cable ties.      I remember when my father came home with something he said was magic and he showed me heat shrink some time in the 60s.  That just about ended my use of tape on electrical devices right there.   Never been a piece of tape on any of my upgrades when I was finished. Sometimes I use tape as a temporary solution , but never permanent.                  j

@RSJB18 posted:

Me and my buddies used it for pucks too. After a few hours on the pavement the edges smoothed down and it would slide down the road easily. Hurt like H**L too if you got hit with a slap shot.....

We used the cheap electrical tape for pucks on the streets and playgrounds of the Bronx.  The telephone man couldn't stop on the block without getting accosted for a roll or two.

Why not just get one of the scotch tape dispensers like you see in a work office setting. You may need to take some tape off the roll to get it to fit and if you use high quality tape it should not deteriorate. I've been using the same roll for years now with no issues.

Brad

well, nice to hear from all you permanent layout guys, but us Christmas time only layout guys need electrical tape.  At least I do - EVERY YEAR.

My Christmas layout is 11'x14' which means I have some long runs for wires (I put the trannie and TIU in the lower right corner off of the layout itself).  that makes for long runs.  I try to re-use wires from year to year since it gets kinda pricey to just toss it and buy new each year. 

Every year I find myself having to splice a few wires for these runs.  I have a floor layout so tape is the least cumbersome way to protect the bare wires.  My layout is usually up for 2 to 3 months and the tape does get a tad sticky but not to the point that it sticks to other things.  And I don't pinch pennies to save on cheap tape.

I looked at the cloth tape mentioned above and maybe I looked at the wrong thing, but it doesn't seem like something I'm interested in.

walt

Look for masking tape dispensers.  I remember them from various jobs they allowed bigger rolls of tape than scotch tape dispensers.  They may be hard to find now.

Depending on your intended usage, you might also look at Kapton tape, for which they also make dispensers.

If you google 3d printing tape dispensers there are several designs out there.  Sure you could find someone to print it if, you don't have access to a 3d printer.

Here is one example:  Electrical Tape Dispenser by Jean Mouton | Download free STL model | Printables.com

Jim

The Dorman dispenser is 7 bucks and includes a roll of tape. Why would anyone want to make one??????

Pete

@Norton posted:

The Dorman dispenser is 7 bucks and includes a roll of tape. Why would anyone want to make one??????

Pete

I don't even understand why anyone would want an electrical tape dispenser.  Just provided another option - didn't get the forum memo that was illegal.

Count me in as a recent heat shrink believer.  I have enough sizes and colors to last at least 200 years.

What I need now is a duct tape dispenser.  I use the black, expensive, heavy duty stuff.  Always a pain getting a strip started, so I fold back 1/2 inch at the end of every use.  Works for me, your mileage may vary.

@SantaFeJim posted:

Count me in as a recent heat shrink believer.  I have enough sizes and colors to last at least 200 years.

What I need now is a duct tape dispenser.  I use the black, expensive, heavy duty stuff.  Always a pain getting a strip started, so I fold back 1/2 inch at the end of every use.  Works for me, your mileage may vary.

There are hand-held dispenser(s) for pack(age)-ing tape.  A clear tape used to close card board boxes. IMO, Mike CT.  My wife had one of these, I was never allowed to use it.  One, came my way, via, a purchased, 2ft X 4 ft trough light fixture, in a card board box.   Depending on what you are doing, package tape could substitute for cheap duct tape.  Good duct tape, probably not.

@Jim Sandman posted:

If you google 3d printing tape dispensers there are several designs out there.  Sure you could find someone to print it if, you don't have access to a 3d printer.

Here is one example:  Electrical Tape Dispenser by Jean Mouton | Download free STL model | Printables.com

Jim

That's cool. I'll have to print me one

Does anyone have experience with this liquid tape? Directions say 4 hours for compete drying, though, although probably ready for use before that.

@breezinup posted:

Does anyone have experience with this liquid tape?

I always keep this on hand, but have never used it for train stuff. It's a little too messy for fine detail working. Have it in my car shop & boat shop and it comes in quite handy. I last used it on a fuel injector pigtail repair following some damage from pesky rodents.